Enroute home from Nairobi to Vancouver. I’ve switched one cocoon (mosquito net encased bed) for another (airplane). Sleeping within a mosquito net is like: - going to bed in a fairy’s nest - entering a butterfly’s silken home - entering a den of cotton candy - being free and cocooned … [Read more...] about Lulled to sleep in a mosquito net
I believe in hope
Tomorrow I leave Nairobi for home. As I get ready for the 24 hour marathon journey a pause to think about my time here....... I believe that hope has a home. It lives in small places, fanned by the winds of change. I believe that hope is our compass. Without it we’re lost in the muddy quagmire … [Read more...] about I believe in hope
Change management: Alice in Wonderland with chicken legs or wings
We had been working on designing a survey for youth who had taken part in training at the One Stop Youth Centre. I was working in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last week doing follow-up to the program evaluation training I did in Naivasha for the United Nations. Dar es Salaam means ‘haven of peace’ in … [Read more...] about Change management: Alice in Wonderland with chicken legs or wings
Boda Bodas: from Oxfam to Razor Blades
Kampala, Uganda. Christmas is coming and I decide to take a break from work to do some shopping. Kenneth and Patricia, youth from the One Stop Youth Centre, where I’ve been working, volunteer to take this mzungu (white person) to Owino Market. First task is to get there. With a mix of … [Read more...] about Boda Bodas: from Oxfam to Razor Blades
Polite notice: am naked and waiting
No, this isn't a porn email, rather some overall musings on Kenya and Uganda. You often see public notices here start with 'Polite notice....' as in 'polite notice; please check out by 10 am'. I like that, it's poetic. Time runs thicker here. Am measuring time not in seconds or minutes but … [Read more...] about Polite notice: am naked and waiting
Hippos and Irish Drinking Songs
During my recent five days of doing intensive program evaluation training in Kenya for the United Nations,, we created a bit of a spectacle with our training. To keep the content interesting I constantly did games and activities that were frequently very loud. The wait staff always hung around to … [Read more...] about Hippos and Irish Drinking Songs
From my first African nocturnal visitor to my first Blog post
Here’s to firsts. First kiss. First car, first job, first love. From the first time you triumphed, and the first time you surprised yourself to the first time you left home (and the first time you came back). First time you crashed and burned. First time you discovered your passion. And here’s … [Read more...] about From my first African nocturnal visitor to my first Blog post
